New Orleans @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 26, 2018 ) Phoenix 116, New Orleans 125

The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to lock up a spot in the Western Conference playoffs and have the schedule working in their favor. After bludgeoning the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the Pelicans will visit the only team lower than the Grizzlies in the West standings when they face the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

New Orleans is locked in a seven-team battle for the final five playoff spots in the West and went into play on Thursday sitting in the No. 8 spot after snapping a four-game slide with a 123-95 win over the Grizzlies. "If we win three, there are no questions," Pelicans point guard Rajon Rondo told reporters of the team's three-game road trip. "We have to take care of what we can control and can't worry about other teams winning or losing. Take care of what's in front of us. We're going to try to win all three on this road trip." New Orleans visits Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers after Phoenix before ending the season at home against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns ended a franchise-record 15-game losing streak by edging the Sacramento Kings 97-94 at home on Tuesday, which marked the first time they held an opponent under 100 points since Jan. 31.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (44-34): New Orleans is not concerned about which team it might play in the first round of the playoffs and is content finishing anywhere from No. 4 to No. 8, as long as it makes the playoffs. “For us, our goal all along has been to make the playoffs,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "It doesn’t matter who you play, you’re going to play a really good team. Obviously if you’re talking about being in the West, from the fourth-place team to the 10th-place team, there is just not a whole lot of separation, so you have no idea what could happen." E'Twaun Moore led the way with 30 points in Wednesday's win while going 7-of-10 from 3-point range.

ABOUT THE SUNS (20-59): Phoenix is missing its two leading scorers with shooting guard Devin Booker (24.9) and small forward TJ Warren (19.6) out while battling injuries, and rookie swingman Josh Jackson is trying to fill the void. Jackson finished with 28 points in Tuesday's triumph and is averaging 21.8 points over the last 11 games. "It's a little different being in this type of role," Jackson told reporters. "The thing I try to do is just pick and choose my shots. I know that for us to be successful, I've got to score a little bit here and there."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns SG Troy Daniels sprained his right ankle in Tuesday's win and is day-to-day.

2. The Pelicans reportedly will sign SG Jordan Crawford for the remainder of the season.

3. New Orleans took the first two meetings this season by an average of 16.5 points.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 118, Suns 106